I first learned about Keiichi Iwasaki when he won the Golden Buzzer on BGT—but he’s no ordinary person! https://t.co/JCeb7Lfkk0 Gutto! Earth Mail: A Special Broadcast on May 10—To My Son, Who Has Been Traveling Around the World by Human Power for 25 Years Without Returning to Japan Keiichi Iwasaki: Human-Powered Circumnavigation—Rowing Across the Pacific **A 25-Year Human-Powered Journey and His Parents’ Dreams** 🔳 Beginning of the Journey and Current Location At age 28, after cycling around Japan, Iwasaki began his global journey by bicycle from Korea and has not returned to Japan in 25 years, traveling through 83 countries and covering 120,000 km. 🔳 Why He Sticks to Human Power He is determined to demonstrate that with willpower, human strength alone can take you anywhere—continuing his journey by bicycle and hand-paddled boat. 🔳 The Harsh Reality of Daily Travel His bicycle carries all his life essentials; at night, he avoids cycling for safety and sleeps outdoors at gas stations or in nature, aiming for his next destination. 🔳 Street Performance Sustains His Journey When funds ran low in Nepal, he began performing street magic—which became popular. Over time, he developed into a multilingual street performer fluent in 10 languages, enabling him to continue his travels. 🔳 His Father’s Understanding and Dream His father once dreamed of sailing around the world as a sailor but never fulfilled it due to postwar hardships. He supported his son’s journey wholeheartedly, wanting him to pursue what he truly desired. 🔳 His Mother’s Memories and Wish His mother remembers how Iwasaki has always been different since childhood and hopes to reunite with him while she is still healthy. 🔳 Another Reason He Keeps Traveling He once considered marrying someone during his journey, but it didn’t happen. That experience became the turning point where he decided to keep going until he reached wherever fate would take him. 🔳 Plan to Return to Japan Iwasaki aims to return to Japan in January or February 2027 after rowing across the Pacific from the west coast of the United States. 🔳 A Talisman from His Parents His parents sent him a carabiner his father used for mountaineering over 60 years ago—a tool that once secured his life rope, now carried as a protective charm for the remainder of his journey. 🔳 What He Wants to Do After Returning Home Iwasaki says he wants to return safely to Japan, say “I’m home” at the front door, and share stories of his journey with his parents over a soak in a hot spring in Gunma.